Andover Guildhall Battle Continues

8.36.38am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 31st Aug 2007

Andover Guildhall

After a stormy debate Test Valley Tories have voted to lease Andover's lower Guildhall to a restaurant chain. They dismissed objectors' views as irrelevant, accusing opponents of the scheme of being politically motivated agitators.

Liberal Democrat calls to delay the decision until suitable alternative accommodation was found for existing users were rejected by the mayor. Opposing the plan, Lib Dem leader Len Gates said that the claimed costs of running the Guildhall could not be justified and were minimal compared to the sums spent in other parts of the borough. After the vote he and other Lib Dem councillors vowed to continue to work to secure alternative accommodation for local groups.

Objectors have instructed a solicitor to contest the decision because of insufficient consultation and flawed accountancy. Recently released figures show the claimed losses include a phenomenal £56,000 administration charge for running the building.